Executive Legislative Judicial Executive

THE MEDIA

The media in the United States is con-

trolled by the private sector and faces no 

political censorship by the government. 

There is a strong tradition of independent 

newspapers, magazines, television, radio, 

and other forms of media publicizing 

varying opinions, both critical and sup-

portive of government policy.

The media serves at least three 

important functions in infl uencing pub-

lic policy. First, policy makers are under 

constant scrutiny by the extensive media 

industry. Public offi cials realize that almost 

anything they do or say—even in private 

—may appear in the media, and so are re-

luctant to make decisions or perform acts 

that they would not want publicized.

Second, the media reports facts and 

conducts independent analysis concerning 

Nongovernmental organizations and institutions 

that infl uence public policy

The then-Governor of Massachusetts Paul Cellucci addresses members of the Cato Institute, a Washington, D.C. 

think tank, 2001. Think tanks, groups of scholars who research and write on public policy, are one of many kinds of 

private organizations in the United States that seek to infl uence the government.

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public policy issues, thereby educating the 

public. Finally, the media provides a forum 

for publishers and broadcasters (and their 

readers and listeners) to present editorial 

opinions that may infl uence others. Many 

large newspapers, for example, endorse 

particular candidates for offi ce or publish 

guest articles favoring one policy over 

another.

By bringing the acts of public offi cials 

to light, educating the public about the 

issues, and deliberately favoring certain 

candidates and policies, the media can 

infl uence policy directly or, by shaping 

public opinion, indirectly.